-Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Michael EKOKOEUWE:
The people of Uzere in Isoko South local government area of Delta State, came together in love and unity to celebrate the annual Uzere fishing festival at Lake Aze to commemorate the final peace that has returned to the kingdom as the kingship tussle finally ends with the key actors coming to truce.
The fishing festival with men and youths happily besieged Lake Aze in their numbers with fishing nets of various sizes and construction as fish capture devices even as the exercise was with excitement and celebration of the final peace that returned to Uzere kingdom.
Speaking to newsmen, the Oletu Ode of Lake Aze, Mr. Augustine Agari said, the Uzere fishing festival has been an annual event over the years, but the crisis which created animosity led to the abandonment of the fishing festival.
He maintained that the return of HRM Odhebe Odhiwu Udogri 1, the Ovie of Uzere kingdom facilitated the fishing festival as the people came together in love and unity for the exercise.
The fishing festival had people from Uzere, Emede, Irri, Oyede, Aviara and other Isoko communities. Agari added that the Lake Aze area with water lettuce is for sale to indigenes and non indigenes that formed groups for same fishing exercise, noting that the purpose is to raise money towards the community development.
He commended the President General of Isoko Development Union, High Chief Iduh Amadhe, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of DESOPADEC, Dr Bashorun Askia Ogieh, the Chairman of Isoko South local government area, Sir Itiako Ikpokpo, the Odiologbo of Uzere Kingdom, Mr Boniface Anigheno, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman Isoko South, Chief Godspower Obaro and others for their efforts towards the final peace that has returned to Uzere kingdom.